Request for reconsideration of an Employment Insurance decision

On this page

• If you disagree with an Employment Insurance decision
• How to request a reconsideration
• After submitting a request for reconsideration
• You can authorize another person to access information about your request for reconsideration
• Resources to help you prepare your request
• Appealing to the Social Security Tribunal

If you disagree with an Employment Insurance decision

If you disagree with a decision Service Canada made on your Employment Insurance (EI) application for benefits, you can request a reconsideration of that decision. For example, you could request a reconsideration if you were refused benefits or have to repay benefits you received.

Employers and other parties affected by a decision can also request a reconsideration, for example if an employee quit or was fired for misconduct and receives EI benefits.

Before you request a reconsideration, check if you have any information that could change the original decision. This includes:

• documentation that was not already submitted
• new information that could affect your application for benefits

Submit it to Service Canada immediately and we’ll review it to determine whether the original decision could change.

If you’ve provided all information and still disagree with the decision, you can then request a reconsideration.

How to request a reconsideration

Complete, print and sign the Request for reconsideration of an Employment Insurance (EI) decision form.

Submit it to Service Canada How to request a reconsideration in person or by mail within 30 days after the date the decision was communicated to you. There is no fee to request a reconsideration.

If you submit your request after 30 days, you must provide a reason for the delay. Service Canada can still accept your request if we determine that there is a reasonable explanation.

After submitting a request for reconsideration

A Service Canada officer will review your request for reconsideration. This will not be the same person who made the original decision. This officer will:

• read the original decision and all related documentation on file
• complete additional fact-finding and clarify any differences with relevant parties, which may include your previous employer
• obtain relevant documents
• review any new information received
• assess all evidence related to the issue
• make a decision based on legislation and jurisprudence
• record the reasons for the reconsideration decision

Each case is unique. Service Canada officers aim to complete the reconsideration as soon as possible. However, processing times may vary depending on the complexity of the case and the information provided.

We may maintain or change our original decision. In either case, you’ll receive the reconsideration decision in writing. If the decision is not in your favour, an officer will call you to explain. A copy of the information used to make the unfavourable decision will also be provided to you.

You can authorize another person to access information about your request for reconsideration

Your personal information and your request for reconsideration are confidential.

You can give Service Canada permission to share information about your request for reconsideration with a person you authorize.

Complete and sign the Consent to disclosure and/or use of personal information form. Submit it to Service Canada in person or by mail.

Resources to help you prepare your request

• Employment Insurance Act
• Employment Insurance Regulations
• Digest of benefit entitlement principles
• Index of jurisprudence
• Jurisprudence library
• Employment Insurance appeal decisions favourable to workers

Appealing to the Social Security Tribunal

If you disagree with the decision made on your request for reconsideration, you can file an appeal with the Social Security Tribunal (SST) General Division. You must file an appeal within 30 days after the day the decision is communicated to you by letter or by phone.

Fill out the form found on the SST website. The SST will notify Service Canada of your appeal.